Abstract

Background This study aimed to compare the effects of sesame (SO), canola (CO), and sesame-canola (SCO: a blend) oils on glycaemic control markers and liver function enzymes in adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods In this randomized, triple-blind, three-way, cross-over clinical trial, participants replaced their usual oil with the intervention oils for 9 weeks. Serum fasting blood sugar, fasting serum insulin (FSI), insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), beta-cell function (HOMA2-%B), insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-%S), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), as well as serum liver function enzymes were measured at baseline and end of intervention periods. Results Ninety-two participants completed all treatment periods. After adjusting for confounders, all treatment oils resulted in significant improvements in FSI and HOMA2-%S (p< 0.05). SO and SCO led to favourable changes in HOMA2-IR and QUICKI (p< 0.05). Following CO and SCO, there was a significant decrease in HOMA2-%B (p< 0.05). The sex-stratified analysis revealed that FSI and HOMA2-IR were decreased after SO compared to CO in males (p= 0.024). Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was significantly lower following SO compared to CO in females (p= 0.02), however, the difference in change values was not significant (p= 0.058). Conclusions SO consumption appears to improve glycaemic control markers in males and serum GGT in females compared with CO in patients with type 2 diabetes (registration code: IRCT2016091312571N6).